Graham Norton: vital journey
Edinburgh Fringe has signed up another A-lister to help encourage new performers, writes JULENA DRUMI
Television and radio personality Graham North has been appointed an ambassador of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. He will work alongside previously announced ambassadors Suzy Eddie Izzard and Brian Cox and honorary president of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
Known for his BBC1 chat show, and as the UK’s host for Eurovision, Norton’s entertainment career dates back to 1991 when he was refining his craft as a standup comedian at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, performing ‘Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s Grand Farewell Tour’ in the Pleasance Attic.
In the years following he made the move to mainstream television, as priest Father Noel in Father Ted, while still making frequent appearances at the Edinburgh Fringe, culminating in him being shortlisted for the prestigious Perrier Award in 1997.
Launched in 2007, The Graham Norton Show is one of the BBC’s top-rated entertainment shows, with stars from across the world taking to the red sofa. It was where Taylor Swift gave her first broadcast interview during the release of her recent album.
Norton continues to support the Fringe and returns most summers to watch shows, support friends and check out the next generation of talent making their name at this unparalleled global marketplace for the arts. He is also a celebrated author, with several published novels under his belt, and hosts the popular podcast Wanging On with Maria McErlane.
Tony Lankester, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “Our Ambassadors represent the critical role the Fringe plays in the lives of so many who got their start on the stages of Edinburgh and, today, are at the top of their game in the world of the arts.
“Welcoming Graham to the fold is a real pleasure – he is someone who exemplifies the joy and generosity of the Fringe spirit, unapologetically passionate about the arts and a huge advocate of the importance of the Fringe in his own career.
“As an ambassador he will be uniquely positioned to help inspire the next generation of artists, and we’re excited to be working with him on this mission.”
Norton said it was “hard to believe” that his connection to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe dates back nearly 35 years.
“As an emerging comedian back in the early nineties, everyone in the industry knew that you had to make the journey to Edinburgh and its Fringe for the opportunities that you have to develop your craft with a live audience, but also to meet and network with the thousands of industry that go there to look for talent.
“Through my chat show I meet and talk to those across the entertainment industry every week, and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone on the sofa that hasn’t been to the Fringe either to perform or to watch shows at some point in the past.
“I’m delighted to be announced as an ambassador of the Edinburgh Fringe and look forward to visiting the festival next August.”
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